FOXBORO — He’s only been a member of the Patriots for a few days, but Terdell Sands has already etched his name in the franchise record books.
Sands, who told reporters Thursday that he’s 6-foot-8 and 355 pounds, is one of the biggest players in team history. The 29-year-old defensive tackle, who signed a two-year contract with the Patriots earlier in the week, can stand toe-to-toe with players such as defensive tackle Ted Washington (6-5, 375), offensive lineman Ryan O’Callaghan (6-7, 330) and defensive lineman Richard Seymour (6-6, 310).
He towered over most of the reporters who gathered around his locker.
“I’m not as big as most people think I am,” Sands said with a laugh. “I’m just bigger than most people have ever seen.
“I’ve got me a shirt made with ‘5-20’ on it,” he said. (Think 5-foot-20.) “That’s my height, so you don’t have to ask me no more. Just do your math. You guys will have to do some thinking.”
“He’s a big man, I know that,” said defensive coordinator Dean Pees. “I saw him in the hallway the other day. I didn’t actually see him; I saw this shadow going down the hallway.”
Sands, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2001 draft by Kansas City, also played with Green Bay before spending the last six seasons with Oakland. (He was part of the Raiders' final cuts on Sept. 5.) During his eight NFL seasons, he has played in 76 games with 12 starts and has accumulated 95 total tackles, four sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception and 10 passes defensed.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said earlier in the week that Sands has some positional flexibility. Sands, who said he’s better against the run, said Thursday that he has no preference as to where he plays, but was told by the coaching staff that he’ll “play some nose,” but that where he lined up would depend “on the scheme of the week that week.”
“It’s a good opportunity. To come from the program that I came from, it’s a great opportunity to come win and contribute the best way I can,” said Sands, who signed a two-year contract. “I was hoping I’d get an opportunity. I was just hoping the opportunity came. [The Patriots] just called, and I was happy to come.”
Sands said he hoped to be able to get up-to-speed on the New England defense within a week or two, and hinted some of the terminology was familiar because former Patriots linebackers coach Rob Ryan spent time as the Oakland defensive coordinator while Sands was with the Raiders.
Regardless of where he lines up, he’s looking forward to working with Vince Wilfork.
“He’s a good guy,” Sands said. “You watch his techniques and how he gets off the ball. There are things you can learn from everybody who plays the same position you play. Especially with him being short — I can work on my knee bends.”
He becomes the latest in a long line of ex-Raiders to make their way east from the Bay Area. And like Randy Moss and Derrick Burgess before him, he is glad to have escaped Oakland. Asked if he noticed a different atmosphere with the Patriots than with the Raiders, he gave a point blank answer.
“I’ve been out there six years — the atmosphere has been the same: We [didn’t] win,” he said. “Every year, we go out there trying to win, it just never came out like we wanted to.”
The transition has been made easier after speaking with Washington about what it’s like to play for Belichick.
“He kind of gave me a heads up about what type of coach he is — steady guy, make sure you know your plays,” Sands said. “He’s very hard on stuff like that.”
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